Jim O'Heir reveals surprise “makeout session” with Aubrey Plaza in unexpected Parks and Rec moment

In his new book, Welcome to Pawnee, Parks and Recreation star Jim O'Heir opens up about an unexpected kiss with co-star Aubrey Plaza during the cast’s farewell appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers in 2015.

According to an exclusive excerpt, Plaza spontaneously proposed a “makeout sesh” with O'Heir during the final credits, to which he nervously agreed. The resulting kiss, reminiscent of Plaza’s on-screen boldness, surprised fellow cast members, with Retta and Aziz Ansari visibly shocked by the moment.

O'Heir, who played the lovable Jerry Gergich on the beloved NBC sitcom, recalls the fun and camaraderie shared with the cast that night, including a rendition of “5,000 Candles in the Wind” led by Chris Pratt. The kiss, he writes, highlighted Plaza’s comedic daring, saying it worked so well because it was “Jerry” she chose to kiss, bringing her character's humorous disdain for his character to life. The book, packed with behind-the-scenes stories, also revisits moments with Amy Poehler and Aziz Ansari, offering fans an inside look at the friendships that defined the show.